Written Answers Thursday 22 May 2008

Scottish Executive

Alcohol Misuse

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many laboratory tests directly connected with alcohol misuse were carried out in NHS Tayside in each of the last three years for which information is available.

Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally. Previous estimates of the number of laboratory tests directly connected with alcohol misuse in Scotland have been based on the number of GP consultations for alcohol misuse derived from Practice Team Information (PTI). The small number of participating PTI practices prevents analysis at health board level.

  Based on an estimate of 130,250 GP consultations connected to alcohol misuse in 2006-07, and assuming two laboratory tests per consultation, the Cost of Alcohol Use and Misuse in Scotland report estimated there to have been 260,250 laboratory tests in Scotland connected to alcohol misuse at a cost of £840,000.

Ambulance Service

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ambulance incidents there were in NHS Tayside in each of the last three years for which information is available.

Shona Robison: The number of emergency ambulance incidents in Tayside for the last three years for which information is available is shown in table 1:

  Table 1: Number of Emergency Ambulance Incidents: NHS Tayside, 2004-05 to 2006-07

  

 Year
 Number of Incidents


 2004-05
 37,299


 2005-06
 37,695


 2006-07
 39,889



  Source: Scottish Health Service Costs.

Ambulance Service

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost is of an ambulance incident.

Shona Robison: The average cost of an accident and emergency incident for the roadside ambulance service in 2006-07 was £221.51.

  Source: Scottish Health Service Costs.

Children

Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with MEPs on the establishment of a Europe-wide missing children alert system, such as the Amber Alert initiative.

Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government is supportive of any proposals to build on existing child alert systems to provide a more efficient and effective exchange of information. The Scottish Government has had no discussions with MEPs on proposals for an EU-wide child alert system, which are at an early stage. We will contribute fully to discussions at EU level as these proposals develop.

  There is already international co-operation with regard to missing children and the National Missing Persons Bureau is working with Interpol and Europol to create a co-ordinated network of child rescue alert systems.

Children

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on children and family services by (a) Dundee City and (b) Angus councils in the last three years for which information is available.

Adam Ingram: The information is contained in the following table:

  Children and Families – Net Revenue Expenditure (£000)

  

 
 Angus
 Dundee City


 2004-05
 8,694
 18,404


 2005-06
 9,848
 19,131


 2006-07
 10,893
 21,381



  Source: Local Financial Return LFR 3 (Social Work)

Climate Change

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Climate Challenge Fund will open to applications.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the eligibility criteria are for communities applying to the Climate Challenge Fund.

Stewart Stevenson: The Climate Challenge Fund is due to open for applications in the next few weeks, at that point guidance and the outline of eligibility for communities wishing to apply for the fund will be announced.

Climate Change

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the second annual progress report on tackling climate change in Scotland will be published.

John Swinney: The second annual progress report on Scotland’s Climate Change Programme is now available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/05/20102350 .

Council Tax

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost to local authorities of collecting council tax has been in each of the last three years.

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost to (a) Dundee City, (b) Angus and (c) Aberdeenshire councils for collecting council tax has been in each of the last three years.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11681 on 22 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Culture

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any further plans to offer financial support to artists at the beginning of their careers.

Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Arts Council currently provides a range of support to individual artists. In terms of further plans, the matter of the most appropriate support to offer to individuals, whether this be funding or guidance, is one I expect to be addressed by Creative Scotland.

Education

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates have been made of school rolls over the period of the current spending review.

Maureen Watt: Estimates of future pupil numbers are set out in the statistical bulletin S1 and S2 Maths and English classes, Children Educated Outwith School, Pupil Projections and Provisional Pupil Numbers and can be accessed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/19125551/13 .

  Pupil projections are not disaggregated to individual school level.

Energy Efficiency

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-10528 by Stewart Stevenson on 13 March 2008, which external stakeholders it has consulted specifically on measures to reduce emissions from existing buildings; when it met each organisation, and what issues were discussed.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-12448 on 14 May 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Equal Opportunities

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when ministers last met equality organisations and what issues were discussed.

Stewart Maxwell: Since May 2007 I have met with a number of equality organisations and discussed a wide range of issues. Time does not allow me to provide a comprehensive account of those organisations here and now but include:

  Inclusion Scotland, Capability Scotland and others to discuss independent living and how progress can be made towards increasing choice and control for disabled people, in July 2007

  I attended the Positive Action in Housing AGM on 7 September 2007. As you will know, PAiH play a lead role in lobbying and advocating for the housing needs of people from minority ethnic and refugee communities.

  In December last year, I met with representatives from STUC Women’s Committee, Scottish Women’s Convention and Scottish Women’s Budget Group to discuss how to tackle the gender pay gap.

  I have chaired three meetings of the National Group to Address Violence Against Women, in June and November 2007 and February 2008.

  Also in February, I met with Stonewall Scotland and spoke at their conference on tackling work place discrimination.

  Earlier this month I met with the Yom Hashoah Glasgow Jewish Representative Council.

  As for my colleagues, the Minister for Children and Early Years met with "For Scotland’s Disabled Children" for the second time on 20 March this year, to discuss improving life chances of disabled children and providing families with appropriate levels of support.

  The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing met with Ethnic Enable earlier this month to hear about its work, meet with volunteers and discuss issues of multiple discrimination. Ethnic Enable is a disability organisation run by and for disabled people from minority ethnic communities.

  She also met with BEMIS in January this year to discuss their work, in particular with respect to the voluntary sector.

  The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture met with LGBT Youth last Saturday to discuss human rights and LGBT equality.

  The Minister for Public Health met with a wide range of disability organisations at the STUC disabled workers conference in September 2007 and discussed a range of issues including employability, independent living and access to education and training.

  In April, The Minister for Community Safety gave a keynote address and met people attending the Faith & Belief in Scotland – young people’s event.

Ferry Services

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any preliminary assessment of the annual cost, in addition to current subsidies to Caledonian MacBrayne and NorthLink Ferries, of applying road equivalent tariff rates to the fares on all Scottish internal ferry routes and, if so, what the results were.

Stewart Stevenson: The consultants undertaking the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) study have undertaken an initial assessment of the annual reduction in fares revenue with the application of RET rates. This initial assessment has been carried out on all ferry services subsidised by the Scottish Government and is based on no change in travel demand. This change in revenue represents a consequential increase in subsidies additional to current subsidies. The following table sets out the reduction in fares revenue by area. The consultants final report, a copy of which will be sent to you shortly, provides a breakdown by route.

  

 Area
Change in Revenue £ Million


 Western Isles
 -£7.65


 Orkney
 -£2.60


 Shetland
 -£0.18


 Firth of Clyde
 -£7.23


 Inner Hebrides
 -£4.19


 Skye
 -£0.65


 Southern Hebrides
 -£2.16


 Total
 -£24.64

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on authorising the start of a ferry service from Lochboisdale to Mallaig.

Stewart Stevenson: I invited Stòras Uibhist to work with Calmac Ferries Limited and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to identify an affordable solution that is acceptable to all the communities concerned. I understand that CalMac Ferries Limited and Stòras Uibhist have met a number of times, most recently on Thursday 22 May. I await the outcome of their deliberations and look forward to receiving details of any options that could be affordable and acceptable to all the communities concerned.

Freight

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12321 by Stewart Stevenson on 2 May 2008, whether the current Freight Facilities Grant scheme would have adequate resources to provide the funding required to meet a renewed application to site a railhead at Barrhill.

Stewart Stevenson: The budget to support the freight industry, including freight facilities grants, is £14.9million in each of the next three years. Any application for freight grant support for a railhead at Barrhill in the future will be assessed on its own merits against the scheme rules.

Freight

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12321 by Stewart Stevenson on 2 May 2008, on what date JST Services withdrew its application for Freight Facilities Grant.

Stewart Stevenson: 2 November 2007.

Health

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much money (a) has already been made available for and (b) it plans to invest in preventative screening of thrombophilia.

Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally.

Hospices

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will meet a cross-party delegation of MSPs to discuss community concerns regarding the threat to the future of the St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, Clydebank.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are responsible for planning, providing and securing the provision of NHS services for its population. The St Margaret of Scotland Hospice receives NHS funding for particular services which it provides and the nature of these services determines the type of funding provided.

  As I have indicated previously, I have asked NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to discuss the development of substantive options for future service provision with the board of St Margaret’s. A number of meetings have already taken place and arrangements have been made to meet again before the end of this month, at which time the board of St Margaret’s will respond to the options put forward by the health board. I therefore do not consider that the meeting suggested by the member would be helpful at this time, I will, of course, be happy to reconsider the request should circumstances change.

Housing

David McLetchie (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many new homes were built by local authorities and registered social landlords in each year from (a) 1979 to 1997 and (b) 1998 to the latest year for which the information is available.

Stewart Maxwell: The information requested is published as live tables on the Scottish Government website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/NewBuildLA

  (for local authorities).

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/NewBuildHA

  (for housing associations).

Legislation

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which of the seven Bills introduced since May 2007 were proposed for introduction by the previous administration.

Bruce Crawford: The seven Bills introduced since May 2007 reflect the policies and priorities of the Scottish Government.

Local Income Tax

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive by how much the (a) increase in the personal allowance and (b) decrease in the threshold for the higher rate of income tax would reduce the projected yield for local income tax for 2008-09.

John Swinney: At this stage, it is not clear whether the change announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 13 May will be for more than a single year. It will be necessary to see what the Chancellor does later this year and in future budgets in case the personal allowance thresholds are revised further by the time we implement a local income tax. In these circumstances, it would be premature to estimate with any certainty the impact of the increase in the personal allowance. The decrease in the higher rate will have no impact because our proposals for a local income tax envisage a rate of 3p in the pound for both basic and higher tax rates.

NHS Hospitals

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport regarding public transport to serve the New Southern General Hospital.

Shona Robison: No formal discussions have taken place between the Scottish Government and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. Operational responsibility for developing the asset infrastructure of NHSScotland is devolved to NHS boards and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have recently initiated formal discussions with the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport on public transport issues in relation to the new South Glasgow Hospitals.

NHS Hospitals

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding potential transport problems in relation to the New Southern General Hospital.

Shona Robison: Scottish Government Health Directorate have an ongoing dialogue with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as the board develops its business case for the redevelopment of the site. Whilst these discussions have touched upon potential transport problems, these are primarily a matter for the board to take forward with Glasgow City Council and other appropriate parties including Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

NHS Hospitals

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been allocated to improve public transport access to the New Southern General Hospital.

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what investment it will provide specifically to improve public transport access to the New Southern General Hospital.

Shona Robison: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport receives an annual capital budget of £25 million and all other capital budgets have been consolidated into the funding provided to local authorities.

  As with any major development of infrastructure in its area, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is required to devise a travel plan for the South Glasgow Hospital’s site and to agree a range of measures with the local authority to minimise congestion and improve access. No specific funding has been identified for this but will be included in the overall cost of redeveloping the new South Glasgow Hospitals.

NHS Hospitals

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with bus operators to discuss public transport access to the New Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.

Shona Robison: Scottish Government has had no discussions with bus operators to discuss public transport access to the new Southern General Hospital. This is a matter for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde which is currently in discussion with major bus operators regarding public transport access to the site of the new Glasgow hospitals.

NHS Hospitals

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place on measures to alleviate potential traffic congestion at the site of the New Southern General Hospital.

Shona Robison: No discussions have taken place with the Scottish Government but NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has, as part of its travel planning arrangements for the new Glasgow hospitals, had and will continue to have, discussions with Glasgow City Council and other relevant parties.

Older People

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest figures are for the percentage uptake by pensioners, and the Scottish population as a whole, of council tax benefit amongst those eligible.

John Swinney: The Department for Work and Pensions publish figures on the take-up of council tax benefit, but do not break these figures down by area. Their website indicates that between 54 and 60% of eligible pensioners across the UK receive council tax benefit, compared to an overall rate of between 62 and 68%.

Planning

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what planning developments are currently under consideration by ministers.

Stewart Stevenson: A list of the planning developments presently before Scottish ministers is shown in the following table.

  All notified planning applications currently before Scottish ministers are listed on the Scottish Government website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/decisions-appeals/decisions-appeals/Proposals.

  

 SE Reference
 Council/Constituency
 Definition
 Case Description/Title
 Date Received by Scottish Government


 CIN/ABS/001
 Aberdeenshire
 Called in application
 Outline planning permission for golf course and resort development at land at Menie House, Balmedie, Aberdeen
 04-12-2007


 NA/ABS/012
 Aberdeenshire
 Notified application
 Change of use of former hospital to form 19 dwellinghouses at Glen O'dee Hospital, Corsee Road, Banchory
 19-09-2007


 NA/ABS/013
 Aberdeenshire
 Notified application
 Erection of 10 dwellinghouses at Glen O'dee Hospital, Corsee Road, Banchory
 19-09-2007


 NA/ABS/014
 Aberdeenshire
 Notified application
 Erection of replacement dwellinghouse at Glen O'dee Hospital, Corsee Road, Banchory
 19-09-2007


 NA/ABS/020
 Aberdeenshire
 Notified application
 Extension to workshop and erection of associated offices at Moss-Side, Parkhill, Dyce, Aberdeen
 30-04-2008


 NA/ABC/015
 Argyll and Bute
 Notified application 
 Wind farm at Stacain, Argyll Estates, near Inveraray
 25-01-2008


 NA/CLK/001
 Clackmannanshire
 Notified application
 Construction of access road to serve housing development at former builders yard, Keilarsbrae, Sauchie, Clackmannanshire
 19-10-2006


 NA/CLK/004
 Clackmannanshire
 Notified application
 Development of a village, comprising houses, school, business units, shops, hotel, golf course, etc. at land to the south and east of A977 (t), Forestmill
 08-05-2007


 NA/DUC/008
 Dundee
 Notified application
 Crematorium, cemetery and associated licensed public house/restaurant at land on Linlathen Estate, Linlathen Road, Dundee 
 23-10-2007


 NA/EAY/009
 East Ayrshire
 Notified application 
 Queens Drive, Kilmarnock. redevelopment of clubhouse, including retail and leisure development
 21-11-2007


 NA/EDB/018
 Edinburgh
 Notified application
 Caltongate (pa3) - New Street, 221 - 223 Canongate, Edinburgh - offices and retail. 
 12-03-2008


 NA/EDB/019
 Edinburgh
 Notified application
 Caltongate (pa4a) - New Street, 221 - 223 Canongate, Edinburgh - residential and business. 
 12-03-2008


 NA/EDB/020 
 Edinburgh
 Notified application 
 Caltongate (pa5) - 5 New Street, 223 - 231a Canongate, Edinburgh - buildings and bridge link. 
 12-03-2008


 NA/EDB/021
 Edinburgh
 Notified application
 Caltongate (pa6) - East Market Street/Cranston Street, Edinburgh - residential flats and offices. 
 12-03-2008


 NA/EDB/022
 Edinburgh
 Notified application 
 Caltongate (pa7) - East Market Street, 5a, 7, 9 Cranston Street, Jeffrey Street (1 - 24), Edinburgh - alterations to arches. 
 12-03-2008


 NA/FLK/017
 Falkirk
 Notified application
 Development of land for housing purposes on land to the north east of Standburn Villa, Falkirk
 12-03-2008


 NA/FIF/019
 Fife
 Notified application
 Proposed sand and gravel extraction and restoration at Mountcastle Quarry, Ladybank, Cupar
 09-01-2008


 NA/FIF/022
 Fife
 Notified application
 Extension to existing quarry for sand and gravel extraction at Ramornie Quarry, Ladybank
 19-03-2008


 NA/GLW/025
 Glasgow
 Notified application
 Erection of mixed use development etc at Site at M77/Waukglen Road/Leggatston Road, Glasgow
 11-06-2007


 NA/GLW/041
 Glasgow
 Notified application
 Use of land for high ropes adventure course at Pollok Country Park, Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow
 06-05-2008


 NA/GLW/042 
 Glasgow
 Notified application
 Erection of primary and nursery school, Nether Auldhouse Road/Hillpark Drive, Glasgow 
 09-05-2008


 NA/HLD/021
 Highland
 Notified application
 Development of a class 1 retail foodstore, petrol filling station and ancillary works at Knockbreck Road, Tain
 29-03-2007


 NA/HLD/030
 Highland
 Notified application 
 Proposed food store at North Road, Fort William
 04-10-2007


 NA/HLD/034
 Highland
 Notified application
 Formation of new access onto A87, no 2 Oak Villa, Invergarry
 24-12-2007


 NA/HLD/035
 Highland
 Notified application
 Extension to cottage, Jocks Spot, Auchmore, near Newtonmore
 21-01-2008


 NA/HLD/037
 Highland
 Notified application
 Superstore and petrol station with 5 small retail units and associated work at Slackbuie Farm, Inverness.
 11-02-2008


 NA/NLS/013
 North Lanarkshire
 Notified application
 Construction of 52 dwellinghouses at Mount Ellen Golf Club, Johnston Road, Gartcosh
 29-03-2007


 NA/NLS/019
 North Lanarkshire
 Notified application
 Erection of detached dwellinghouse (in outline) at land south of 25 Maryville View, Uddingston
 20-09-2007


 NA/NLS/020
 North Lanarkshire
 Notified application
 Erection of dwellinghouse at land to the north of Hillside, High Banton Road, Banton
 05-11-2007


 NA/NLS/022
 North Lanarkshire
 Notified application
 Construction of 20 dwellinghouses and 16 two storey flats at Chapelhall Primary School, Gibb Street, Chapelhall, Airdrie
 19-02-2008


 NA/NLS/026 
 North Lanarkshire
 Notified application
 Construction of a dwellinghouse at land adjacent to 21 Bellside Road, Cleland, Motherwell
 22/04/2008


 P/PP/75/96/SS/103
 North Lanarkshire
 Notified application 
 Formation of landfill site with recycling and composting facilities, land adjacent to Dalmacoulter Landfill, Airdrie.
 13-09-2002


 NA/ORK/001 
 Orkney
 Notified application 
 Proposed wind turbine at Merranblo, Orkney
 18-04-2007


 NA/RFS/008
 Renfrewshire
 Notified application
 Mixed use development on land at Phoenix Park, Linwood Road, Paisley.
 05-04-2007


 P/PP/75/96/B/40
 Scottish Borders
 Notified application
 Erection of dwellinghouse, site 3 at field no. 4666, Mounthooly, Jedburgh
 01-03-2006


 NA/SLS/023
 South Lanarkshire
 Notified application
 Erection of single dwellinghouse garage/estate office building with private access at Greenleeshill Farm, Cambuslang.
 13-12-2007


 NA/SLS/031 
 South Lanarkshire
 Notified application
 Erection of new feed depot/warehouse, associated office facilities etc. at Whiteshawgate, off A723, Strathaven
 09-04-2008


 NA/SLS/032
 South Lanarkshire
 Notified application
 Erection of industrial units for various classes at Kelvin Park Shouth, East Kilbride.
 21-04-2008


 NA/STG/005
 Stirling
 Notified application
 Upgrading of roundabout, carriageway widening and realignment at land at A811 and B8051 between fire station roundabout and Kings Knot Roundabout, Raploch Road, Stirling
 12-07-2007


 NA/STG/008
 Stirling
 Notified application
 Erection of health and fitness club at land north of restaurant, Springkerse Business Park, Stirling
 12-12-2007


 NA/STG/010
 Stirling
 Notified application
 Formation of a 8 turbine windfarm and associated works on land at Craigengelt Hill, Stirling
 30-01-2008


 NA/STG/011
 Stirling
 Notified application
 Proposed mixed use development on land at Craigforth, Stirling
 04-04-2008


 NA/STG/012
 Stirling
 Notified application
 Proposed non-food retail development at land north of superstore, Drip Road, Raploch, Stirling
 23-04-2008


 NA/WLN/007
 West Lothian
 Notified application
 Construction of new motorway junction, park and ride facility with associated access roads at M8 motorway, Cowhill, Whitburn 
 24/04/2008


 NA/CES/001
 Western Isles 
 Notification direction
 Pentland Road Windfarm, Stornoway, Isle of Harris
 08-09-2006


 NA/CES/004
 Western Isles 
 Notified application
 Erection of new dwellinghouse at 43 Callanish, Isle of Lewis
 24-12-2007


 NA/CES/005
 Western Isles 
 Notified application 
 Construction of 16 wind turbines and associated works at Feiriosbhal Wind Farm, Eisgen Estate, Isle of Lewis
 28-04-2008


 P2/PPA/270/444
 Highland
 Recalled appeal
 Beauly sub station, Wester Balblair, Beauly
 30/1/2007


 P2/PPA/110/625
 Aberdeenshire
 Recalled appeal
 Proposed mixed use development at Blairs College, Maryculter, Aberdeen
 26-3-2007


 P2/PPA/270/468
 Highland
 Recalled appeal
 Land at Morangie Road, Tain
 31-7-07


 P2/PPA/320/285
 North Lanarkshire
 Recalled appeal
 Change of use from farmland to country park and associated dwellings, Staylee Farm, Airdrie
 10-10-2007


 P2/PPA/310/159
 North Ayrshire
 Recalled appeal
 Kelburn Wind Farm, Fairlie, Largs
 25-7-2007


 P2/PPA/270/533
 Highland
 Recalled appeal
 Beauly grid sub-station, Western Balblair, Beauly
 5-3-2008


 P2/PPA/130/204
 Argyll and Bute
 Recalled appeal
 Erection of 5 dwellinghouses on land south west of Allt na Craig, Tarbet Road, Ardrishaig
 11-3-2008


 P2/PPA/130/209
 Argyll and Bute
 Recalled appeal
 Corlachan Hill, east of Glen Fyne, Bullwood Road, Dunoon
 8-4-2008

Planning

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be made available to citizens where a decision to grant planning approval by a Scottish Government reporter results in a major flooding event and consequential damage to homes.

Stewart Stevenson: The responsibility for insuring homes against flood damage rests with the owners and tenants. The Scottish Government can in certain circumstances also offer financial support under the Bellwin Scheme to a council or councils incurring eligible costs in dealing with a large scale emergency. This includes those incurred in safeguarding life and property, and preventing suffering or severe inconvenience in a local authority’s area or among its inhabitants. Requests for further financial assistance for public bodies faced with a material unexpected financial burden in dealing with such an incident would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Police

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers have the use of tasers.

Kenny MacAskill: In Scotland tasers are only issued to authorised firearms officers. As at 31 March 2007, there were 610 authorised firearms officers in Scotland.

Police

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what training is given to police officers who have the use of tasers.

Kenny MacAskill: Authorised firearms officers are trained and deployed in accordance with detailed ACPO/ACPOS (Association of Chief Police Officers/Scotland) guidance. This covers matters such as the selection and training of personnel, the authorisation procedures to be put in place for those carrying firearms and the form of briefings to be give by senior officers in relation to operations where firearms are to be deployed.

Police

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times tasers have been fired by police officers in the last three years.

Kenny MacAskill: In Scotland tasers have been discharged by police officers 16 times during nine incidents in the last three years.

Police

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers are currently under suspension and how long each has been suspended, broken down by force, and what action is being taken to bring each suspension to an end.

Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally.

Prescriptions

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in each parliamentary constituency were entitled to free prescriptions in (a) February 2007 and (b) February 2008.

Shona Robison: The information requested is not available. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the population are entitled to free NHS prescriptions.

Public Transport

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve public transport infrastructure in rural areas across Grampian.

Stewart Stevenson: The provision of public transport infrastructure in rural Grampian is a matter for NESTRANS and the local councils. Projects recently completed include the new Bus Station in Aberdeen (for rural services), Quality Bus corridors on the Stonehaven, Banchory and Westhill services, improvements to the Inverurie and Peterhead services and seven Demand Responsive Transport services introduced to areas across Aberdeenshire. Further Quality Bus Corridor improvements are planned as is Park and Ride schemes at Bucksburn and possibly at Banchory.

  On rail, progress is being made on the reopening of Laurencekirk station, improved rail services to Inverurie and design work is underway for Kintore Rail Station. Connections from rural areas within Grampian are being considered as part of Transport Scotland’s Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) within the Aberdeen – Inverness transport corridor. Transport Scotland’s High Level Output Specification (HLOS) also contains an aspiration to upgrade the Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Line to allow an hourly service to operate.

  On road, major schemes to be taken forward by Transport Scotland in the Grampian area include the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and the Balmedie to Tipperty improvement on the A90.

Public Transport

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has had with the police, including the British Transport Police, regarding the target hardening of public transport in Scotland.

Kenny MacAskill: I have regular meetings with the police service in Scotland about a range of issues relating to policing, including counter terrorism.

  Responsibility for the British Transport Police lies with the UK Parliament in Westminster.

Rail Network

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce timescales for progress on the Aberdeen Crossrail project.

Stewart Stevenson: The longer term needs of Scotland’s nationally strategic transport corridors, which includes the Aberdeen urban network, are being considered through the strategic transport projects review.

Rail Services

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average rail journey times have been between Stranraer and Glasgow via (a) Kilmarnock and (b) Paisley in each of the last five years.

Stewart Stevenson: The information is not held centrally, in the form requested.

  Over the last five years, the timetabled journey time has been around two hours 17 minutes average for trains running via Paisley and two hours 33 minutes average for trains running via Kilmarnock.

  Average punctuality against this timetable (that is, the number of trains arriving within ten minutes of the scheduled time) has tracked as follows:

  2003-04: 92.1%

  2004-05: 91.2%

  2005-06: 90.5%

  2006-07: 91.0%

  2007-08: 92.8%.

Roads

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12231 by Stewart Stevenson on 7 May 2008, whether this answer indicates that it still intends to build the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route using the PPP/NPD funding method.

Stewart Stevenson: As set out in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2008, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will be considered for procurement through the non-profit distributing model.

Roads

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the responsibilities are of Transport Scotland in relation to road improvement proposals from regional transport partnerships or local authorities affecting trunk roads.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is responsible for the repair, maintenance and improvement of the Scottish motorway and trunk road network. In undertaking its responsibilities Transport Scotland consults with stakeholders, including local authorities and regional transport partnerships, as appropriate in relation to the nature and impact of proposed works or improvements on local transport infrastructure and facilities.

School Meals

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many P1 to P3 pupils in each parliamentary constituency were entitled to free school meals in (a) February 2007 and (b) February 2008.

Adam Ingram: We do not hold this information centrally. The most recent school meals data is available on the Scottish Executive website at:

  www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/SchMeals2007.

  Figures for 2008 are due to be published in June.

  However, all P1 to P3 pupils in the five local authorities involved in the free school lunch trial were entitled to free school lunches in February 2008. We expect to receive the report on the findings of the evaluation of the trial, including information about uptake, at the end of July.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-11140 by Michael Russell on 15 April 2008, whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the response from the Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Michael Russell: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to make available to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre his reply to you in response to question S3W-11140.

Shipbuilding

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether contracts placed for the construction of vessels, financed partly or wholly from public funds, contain penalty clauses in relation to the late delivery of, or construction faults in, such vessels.

John Swinney: It is fairly typical for higher value contracts, including public contracts for the construction of vessels, to contain liquidated damages clauses covering issues such as performance of contract and late delivery. Such clauses must relate to the consequences for the public body of failure to perform to the standards agreed in the contract.

Student Finance

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many students in full time education are paying council tax.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time students are in higher and further education and, of these, how many are not exempt from paying the council tax and what the reasons are for their not being exempt.

John Swinney: There were 228,795 full-time students in Scottish institutions in 2006-07. Of these, 222,230 were potentially exempt from council tax. It is not possible to say that all were exempt because some may have made a contribution to council tax, for example if they were part of a household with other non-students shared or if they lived with a partner or spouse, or if they were a full-time student landlord, or if they were liable during the summer holidays as a consequence of the way the legislation interprets their enrolment information. However, we do not hold information on the numbers who may have been in these various categories. The remaining 6,565 students were liable for the tax because they were not on courses that were long enough to qualify for the exemption.

Student Finance

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the First Minister’s statement on 24 April 2008 that some 400,000 students in Scotland are currently liable for the council tax ( Official Report , c. 7934), which categories of student are included in this calculation and how many students there are in each category.

John Swinney: Part-time students aged 18 and over are not exempt from paying council tax by virtue of their student status and so are potentially liable for council tax. Some full-time students in further education are enrolled on courses that do not qualify them for a council tax exemption as the course is not considered long enough to be full-time for council tax purposes, and they will also be potentially liable. On that basis, the numbers of part-time students that are potentially liable for council tax break down as follows:

  

 Postgraduate
 41,550


 First Degree
 15,985


 Other HE
 49,300


 FE
 281,725


 Total
 388,560



  Note: This information is based on Higher Education Statistics Agency and Scottish Funding Council enrolment data, and excludes; dormant, visiting exchange, writing up and sabbatical students at HEIs, as well as those college students who failed to complete 25% of their course.

Student Finance

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the First Minister’s statement on 24 April 2008 that some 160,000 students in Scotland are currently not liable for the council tax ( Official Report, c. 7934), which categories of students are included in this calculation and how many students there are in each category.

John Swinney: As a point of clarification, the First Minister referred in the Parliament on 24 April 2008 to around 160,000 students in Scotland not earning enough to pay local income tax. He did not say that 160,000 students are currently not liable for the council tax.

  A breakdown of the estimated numbers of full-time students in 2006-07 who were potentially exempt from paying council tax is given below.

  

 Postgraduate Students
 30,040


 First degree Students
 117,600


 Other Students in Higher Education 
 35,870


 Students in Further Education
 38,720


 Total
 222,230



  Notes:

  (i) Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax in most cases. Some full-time students in further education are enrolled on courses that do not qualify them for a council tax exemption as the course is not considered long enough to be full-time for council tax purposes. A number of other full-time students will be liable for other reasons, but the number of such students is not currently known.

  (ii) The figures in the table above are based on Higher Education Statistics Agency and Scottish Funding Council enrolment data. They exclude dormant, visiting exchange, writing-up and sabbatical students at higher education institutions, as well as those college students who failed to complete 25% of their course.

Student Finance

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the First Minister’s statement on 17 April 2008 that higher education students pay council tax dependent on where they stay ( Official Report , c. 7686), what analysis it has made of where students live.

John Swinney: As a point of clarification, when the First Minister said that the number of higher education students paying council tax depends on where they stay, he was referring to the fact that some students live with non-students and partners and these students may be contributing to council tax as part of a household. While we do not hold information at this level of detail, we are consulting student representative organisations, amongst others, about our proposals and we expect that to provide additional information. An analysis of the consultation responses will be published in the autumn.

Student Finance

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary to question S3F-710 by Alex Salmond on 24 April 2008, whether it will provide details of the 400,000 students liable for council tax, broken down by (a) institution of study and (b) course, also indicating whether their study is (i) full time, (ii) part time, (iii) night class or (iv) long distance learning.

John Swinney: While information is available by institution and by course for all students, information at the level of detail requested for the subset of students specified is not held centrally.

Student Finance

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide calculations for the basis of the First Minister’s statements on 24 April 2008 that around 160,000 students are not liable for the council tax and that the vast majority of these students do not earn enough to pay the local income tax ( Official Report , c. 7934).

John Swinney: As a point of clarification, the First Minister referred in Parliament on 24 April 2008 to around 160,000 students in Scotland not earning enough to pay local income tax. He did not say that 160,000 students are currently not liable for the council tax.

  The total number of full time students in Scottish institutions in 2006-07 was 228,795. Initial estimates, using earnings related data for full-time students, indicated that perhaps around three quarters of these would not earn sufficient to bring them over the level of the personal allowance. The number who would be liable at the time of introduction of a local income tax would of course depend on the level of the personal allowance at that time.

Student Finance

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12118 by John Swinney on 30 April 2008, whether that answer indicates that it has carried out an impact assessment into the local income tax and its effect on students.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12119 by John Swinney on 30 April 2008, whether that answer indicates that it has carried out an evaluation of the proposed local income tax and its effect on students.

John Swinney: We have made initial estimates of the likely impact on students of the local income tax proposals which are currently the subject of a consultation exercise. We are consulting student representative organisations, amongst others, as part of that consultation. We intend to assess the results of the consultation exercise currently underway before deciding the next steps.

Student Finance

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12123 by John Swinney on 30 April 2008, what its current estimate is of how much the student population in Scotland as a whole would pay under the proposed local income tax.

John Swinney: The answer would depend on a range of factors and it would not be appropriate to seek to estimate these at this stage.

Student Finance

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest total is of outstanding student loans in Scotland.

Fiona Hyslop: Statistics on student loans for higher education in Scotland are published on the internet on an annual basis. The balance of outstanding student loans in Scotland (including those not yet due for repayment) at the end of financial year 2006-07 was £1.8 billion.

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Lifelong-learning/PubStudentLoansHE.

  Statistics for financial year 2007-08 will be published on the internet on 12 June 2008 under the National Statistics Protocol.

Teachers

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet COSLA and the General Teaching Council for Scotland to discuss what action may be taken to ensure that teachers are able to secure permanent teaching posts at the end of their probationary years.

Maureen Watt: Vacancies for teaching posts occur throughout the year and it would be unrealistic to expect every post probation teacher to be in post each August. That said it is important that there is a broad balance between demand and supply. If it is evident that there is an imbalance we would be happy to meet with interested parties such as COSLA, the GTCS and teacher unions to examine the situation.

Terrorism

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it has allocated to the target hardening of railway stations in 2008-09 and how that compares to each of the preceding four financial years.

Stewart Stevenson: No specific sums have been identified. Rail safety and security are reserved matters. Where work has been identified as necessary this will be taken forward through the relevant industry funding forums.

Terrorism

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it has allocated to the target hardening of land connected to and in the vicinity of railway stations for this year and how that compares with each of the preceding four financial years.

Stewart Stevenson: No specific sums have been identified. Rail safety and security are reserved matters. Where work has been identified as necessary this will be taken through the relevant industry funding forums.

Transport

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in developing plans for the new Forth crossing.

Stewart Stevenson: Development work is progressing to programme and the necessary ground investigation and environmental survey work is underway.